Cone valve operator



1951 M. WHITE ET AL 2,565,640

CONE VALVE OPERATOR Filed Nov. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 E g INVENTOR [7A Maeanu WHH'E -11 AY BAc'cH/ mgi/ ' Aug. 28, 1951 I. M.-WHITE ET AL 2,565,640

CONE VALVE OPERATOR Filed Nov. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIE; a.

llz' IN V EN TORS ll? IRA M0054 Ii/iwr: am:-

By Em BA ccw/ Afro/PMs 1 Aug. 28, 1951 M. WHITE ET AL 2,565,640

CONE VALVE OPERATOR 7 Filed Nov. 14, 1950 5 Sheets$heet 5 FIE- E IN VEN TORS f/PA MORGAN WH/TE -,4w-

Aug. 28,1951

Filed NOV. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS [m4 MORGAN WH/I'E M0 BY EA v 5.4 CCH/ AfIvRA/EV 1951 1. M. WHITE ET AL 2,565,640

CONE VALVE OPERATOR Filed Nov. 14, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN V EN TORS [EA MO/PGAN My: A1110 RAY BAC'CH BY 57 Irrmwzy Patented Aug. 28 1951 v7 UNITED STATES }PA,TENT OFFICE Ira Morgan White, Berkeleygandj llayj Bacchi, Daly City, Calif., assignorsfto The-Pelton Water Wheel Company, ac61 po'ration Application November 14, Serial N0.- 19 ,53 2

i 8 Claims. (011 731529) Our invention relates to valves for controlling" Figure 2 is a similar view showing a modified fluid flow and is especially concerned with cone forih'of cone valveoperator, various parts being valves rotated 'about a fixed axis between open omitted ,or broken; away to reduce the size of and closed positions and which are lifted along thei'lgiire."

such axis just prior to rotation and are lowered Figure 3 is a side elevation of a part of the along such axis just after rotation. The problem perating mechanism, the view being generally of producing an appropriate lifting, turning and along the line 3-3 of Figure 1. lowering motion of the valve is relatively dif- Figure 4 is a cross section, the plane of which ficult when the valve is of very large size; for isindicated by the line 44'of-Figure'3.- example, in water works installations. The operr Figu re 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showating mechanism becomes bulky and elaborate ing a modifiedform of structure-certain parts although it must necessarily operate satisfactorily being shown in cross section and other parts over a protracted period of time. Various operbeingomit ed to a y e w ating structures have been patented, a repre- Fi ure-6 is a cro s s apart of the sentative one being Patent 1,890,678, issued. act atine r ct r t pla of ion bein December 13, 1932, to David Goldberg. indicated by the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

It is an object of our invention to provide a Figure '7 is a view similar to Figural but showcone valve operator which is generall an im- 'in'ga still further modified form of-valve operator provement in this field. in' acco'rdance with our invention, the sectioning Another object of the invention is to provide and Om n o p ts being Substantially the a cone valve operator effective to lift and turn Same as in u e 1 but W h-the Va ve be n a valve cone either in going from closed to open 'SII DD B POSitiOII- position or in returning from open position to Figure 8 is a detail showing a- P Q h closed position. actuating structure in cross section on the line Another object of the invention is to provide 5 3 8" :a cone valve operator which functions quickly 00116 Operator of 1 tio s to lift and to turn and to lower the valve without app various different styles f lcone :substantial time lag and with simultaneous valves', the usual installation being in connection motion in several directions. witha valve having a cone'5 (Figure 4) rotatable Another object of the invention is to provide -t u -hs i llveo degree e ween: its a cone valve operator that lends itself well to opennandi closed P s s a d v a Stem very large installations requiring massive parts fiflwhich is movabletthrough that a e y r mand capable of resisting heavy disturbing forces. 1131011 around a Central s 1 ure The A still further object of the invention is to W ivee s f i8 d d W h a usin provide a cone valve operator that is readily made 3 having a 1101) Wall Serving 81180 1& e b se for with Ordinary machine m and t t m 1 ;;an extended housing 9 (Figure; 1) in part enclosfinished surfaces or close tolerances but having, li a da upp the Valve Operator- J v l even so, the requisite accuracy of seating in both ;...The housing 8 isip w fin h open and closed positions.- lfacell normal to thevaxis ,and,;encompassing A still further object of the invention i t tthestemefi... Adapted to abut the normalsurface provide a cone valve operator in whi h th 1;] [1,18 a, support frame 12, preferably, fabricated unit loads on the various operating parts are l'i two'halv s H ULWhiChhal/ m or'symrelatively low despite the massive nature of the lmetry with respect to each other and which are valve itself so that long life and troublefree conveniently fastened together .by through bolts operation are readily attained. m L62 Thesupport framelZ'isprovided on,its base Other objects, together with the-foregoing,- 'vvithan inturned flange; I'I...A ringaI'B .bears are attained in the Various embodiments of the ag in h fl n and is iastened around the invention described in the accompanying destem li bysuitable machine screws IBV-An pp scription and illustrated in the accompanying flange 2| on the ringoverlis' the inturned flange drawings, in which -11. The diameter of the body portion of the ring Figure 1 is for the most part a-plan of one is considerabl less than the internal diameter A form of cone valve operator in accordance with ofthe inturned flange l1, so-that while the sup- -our invention, various parts being shown in cross port frame [2 is constrained against movement section on a horizontal plane and some of the along the axis 1 with respect tothe housing 8, the

attendant mechanism being omitted for clarity frame is free to rotate and is also free to slide in of disclosure. a i any direction normal to the axis h The support frame itself is'approximately or generally coaxial with the stem 6 and in its upper portion is formed to provide a pair of journals 26 and 2! in alignment on a transverse axis 28 in one position of the frame intersecting the axis 7. The journals 26 and 21 do not extend entirely through the support frame but rather are stepped to receive the corresponding bosses 29 and 3| of an integral forked lever 32. This lever is symmetrical about a plane through the axis 1 and is provided with a central bridge 33 which connects the bosses 29 and 3|.

Mounted in the lever 32 on a transverse axis 33 displaced from or eccentric to the axis 28 are pivot pins 36 and 31 carried in the lever and extending inwardly toward each other. Supported on the pivot pins 36 and 31 and fitting snugly between the inside faces of the bosses 29 and 3| is a yoke 38 overlying and encompassing the upper end of the stem and held firmly to such stem without possibility of motion relative thereto by a pair of through pins 39.

The yoke 38 also provides a support for part of the actuating mechanism for the valve and is consequently contoured to define a cross bore 40 on an axis 42 intersecting the axis 1 at right angles thereto. The bore 49 extends entirely through the yoke 38 and has an anti-friction lining ll for the purpose of receiving a sliding, radial bar 43 preferably of completely or nearly completely circular cros section. The bar 43 is constrained against rotation about it own axis 32 and about the axis 1 unless, in the latter case, it turns in conjunction with the support frame l2. Thus, the radial bar 43 in rotating about the axis 1 carries the yoke 38 with it and because of the connections 39 between the yoke and the stem 6, the valve cone 5 is then similarly rotated about the axis 1.

Means are provided for utilizing the relative sliding movement of the-bar 43 in the yoke 38 to afford movement of the cone stem-6 along its axis 7. One end of the slide bar 43 is shaped into a hook 46 providing a pair of parallel, inclined faces 41 and 48 leading to the outer margins of the bar so that an open notch 49 is formed. The inclined faces 43 and 48 of the notch 49 overlie or are disposed on the opposite sides of a pin 5| firmly anchored in the extended end bosses 52 of the forked lever 32. As the slide bar 33 is moved in a longitudinal direction, the inclined surfaces 41 and 48 produce a rotation of the pin 5| and of the lever as a whole about the axis 28, the rotational mounting axis of the forked lever in the support frame I2. Since the pin axis 34 is displaced from the pivot or fulcrum axis 28, the rotational movement of the forked lever produces a lifting or lowering movement of the yoke 38., The motion of the forked lever is of an arcuate character whereas the stem 6 is constrained by the housing 8 to movement along the axis 1. But the axis 34 is actually translated in a straight line for the axis 23 shifts transversely, normally to the axis '1, as the entire support frame l2 slides on the cover 8 along the surface II. This sliding is permitted by the clearance between the inturned flange ll and the central portion of the collar IB.

When the transverse or radial motion of the slide bar 33 is great enough, the pin Si rides along the surface 4'! and out of the notch 2:7. It is held depressed as it continues to be ridden over by the under surface 53 of the slide bar. The relationship between the slide bar 53 and the pin 5| thus afiords a lost-motion connection. The

4 weight of the valve cone is normally sufficient to insure engagement between these parts. During return sliding motion of the bar 53, the pin 51 rubs on the under surface 53 until such time as it encounters the notch 43. The cone weight is usually sufficient so that the pin follows along the surface 1'; in returning to its original position with the valve cone lowered. But if the ioad should not be great enough, the extended or hook surface :33 is in the path of the pin and positively deflects the pin into the notch 49 so that the parts are surely restored to their cone down position, as shown in Figure 3.

in order to produce sliding and rotary movement of the slide bar 13 and consequently the other motions described, we preferably locate on the housing 2 or on its extension E. a suitable actuating or hydraulically expansible chamber mechanism ill (Figure i). This includes a cylinder connected through ports and as to a standard type of oil control mechanism (not shown) and likewise includes a piston 65 movable within the cylinder under the influence of the oil pressure to produce a corresponding axial movement of a piston rod 3?. This rod is extendfastened to a cross head block 63 having an extension {59 leading to a slide ll reciprocable in a pair of guides secured to the housing 9.

A pivot pin in the cross head block 38 is constrained to rectilinear translation and is fastened to a link it at its opposite end joined by a pivot pin ":8 to a pair of superposed twin levers ".6 and 5?. The levers are connected by a pivot pin to an anchor "19 in the housing 9 and are also connected by a pivot pin at to the appropriately flattened outer end 32 of the slide bar 43. When the cross head block 58 reoiprocates rectilinearly, the motion is transmitted by the link 74 to provide a rotary oscillation of the twin levers iii and so that the pin 35 moves in a path curved about the pin if? as a center. This path is not concentric with but rather is eccentric to the axis of the valve stem E. When the levers l5 and are moved through a circular path about the pin it as a center, the slide bar i3 simultaneously and correspondingly and in a proportionate amount is translated along its own longitudinal that is, it is slid endwise in the yoke 35. The relative sliding movement so produced is effective to rock the forked lever 32 and to lift to lower the valve stem.

The arrangement of the parts is such that in one extreme position with the valve seated, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the slide bar 43 is not only in an extreme rotated position but is also in an extreme translated position. When the piston St is moved and the cross head block 68 follows, the pin 8| moving in an arc begins to rotate the slide bar 33 about the axis 1. But

the axis of the twin levers and ii is substantiaily at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the slide bar the initial turning of the levers iii and Ti produces no or only a very little rotation of the slide bar :33 about the axis By the same token, the same initial rotation of the levers l6 and 5'? produces a great deal of axial translation of the slide bar. That, coupled with the steep inclination of the surface Q! operates the forked lever 32 so that the axis 3 is quickly rotated around the axis 28. Although a rotational force and a lifting force are simultaneously exerted upon the valve stem 6, the rotational motion begins at zero and initially is relatively small in magnitude while the axial translation or lifting motion is relatively great in magnitude.

. tation becomes increasingly grea 3. 1 3 termediate point, the flat 53 over s the pin and at that point and thereafter, the transla tional component becomes j'z'ero When the levers I6 and I? and the slide bar Herein theiraligned, midstroke position, the 'slide b'ar has zero instantaneous translation and maximum, velocity of rotation about the 'axis'l take place through the fi nient of the leverslfi andfl'l ls t pr'oach a position 90. degre P f to' fth Figural, less and les" idt'tional" in imparted to the slide bar 43th reby ting the cone valve finally with zero eloEity iri its ultimate, opposite position'biitgivi'rigan increasing axial component ofv movement to, the slide bar 43. As the ultimate oppositposition is ap preached, the notch 49 and the pin 5I1rotate' the forked lever 32 about the axis" 2830 that the axis 34 relatively quickly drops" and the corie'v alv'e sinks to its final, seated position.

The combined rotational andaxial movements of the slide bar and the relatiye 'i'elationship or proportions'of such movements, during the full cycle of operationaresuch'that thevalve stem partakes of an almost pure lifting motion during its initial movement away from 'its se 'at'a'ccom panied by only slight rotationIjThe rotation increases greatly into center position accompanied by slight further lifting, thnd'crease'siwith'some lowering until close tdthegiinalfseat tl'l rotational component is quite'small and the axial component toward seatingis greatLjfActually, in practice, the parts are designed and madei'for some deflection under load "and "if the friction loads near the seated positionsare'made high, there may be no actual rotation ofv the valve body (as distinguished from the valve actuator) in and near seated position. But so far asthe actuator motion is concerned, itendeavors to free thevalve' from its seat while it is being rotated from one position to another and while'it is'b'eing rotated to position the valve firmly, in its newseat. There is ideally no time lag before rotation during which time the valve is axially moved nor is there any time lag after rotation duringwhich the valve body is reseated. The rotation is always simultaneous with the seating and with the" unseating. In a test of a valve through some 10,000 cycles of operation with the described operator, the valve unseated and seated during the initial and terminal portions of its rotary actuation without any time lag and without any sticking, hesitancy or other failure.

In Figure 2 there is disclosed a variant form of cone valve operator. While for the most part the structure near the valve is substantially the same, the split support frame 9| is continued upwardly and is braced across the top by a tie bolt IOI encased in a tube I02. A limit stop for rotary travel of the bridge mechanism isprovided'bya single adjusting screw I03 which with its lock nut I04 is mounted in an extension I06 of the bridge 33 joining the two sides of the forked lever 32. The adjusting screw I03 engages. the suriace ofthe yoke 38 limiting the travel of the forked lever 32 so that the pin 5| rides just under the surface 53 to ensure reengagement of thepin 5| with the surface 48. V.

In this version also, while the slide bar 43 and the expansible chamber 6| themselves arev substantially the sameas before;:theinjnterconnections are, somewhat diiferent.v {I'he';110using 1 9:18;

reduced in extent andis provided with atailltube III within which slides an elongated piston rod H2. The tail tubecarriesan. adjustable stop II3 for one end of the extended piston Indiana the cylinder 6| has an adjustable stop II5 for the other end of the piston rod. H H

At an appropriate point in its length,, the piston rod is secured to a cross head, I I4 extendingaboye and below the piston rod, andcarrying athrou'gh pivot pin IIB engaged by anupperclink, Ill and a corresponding lower link I I8. ,The opposite end of the link II'I is connected, by a pin. 119,120 the central portion of the upperarmjlluof aiorked intermediate lever I22. Similarly, thelowerlink I I0 is connected by a pin with thelowerarm; 124 of the intermediate l ver ,I22 which, itself. -is mounted on a pivotpin I20 set in therhousingl. The outer extremities of the upper, arm-I2Isand of the lower arm [5240f the intermediateclever' I22 are connected by a through pin I2'I totheislide bar 43. The pin ,I Z'Ifollows an arcuate pathcon-icentric with the pin I26 as impelled bythe upper link Ill and the lower link II8, whichthemselves also follow the rectilinear motion ,of, the piston rod I I 2. Since thepath ofthe pin I 211s, notcdti? centric with the rotational axis of the cone valve but rather is eccentric with respect theretos the operation of the cone valve lifting and turning mechanism is substantially the same as previously described. 1

In this form of the structure, the mechanism, substantially a toggle, formed by the intermediate lever I22 and the slide bar 43 is actuated .by swinging links I I! and I I8 guided not only by the intermediate lever but also by, the piston. rod cone strained to rectilinear motion bythe cylinderjil and by the tail rod guide I I I. This arrangement is distinguished from the separate guide 12tpro-1 vided at one side of the cross head 68 in theprevi: ous version. g, c 5

A further departure is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The slide bar 43 within the. housing 9 while otherwise similarly connected, is in this instance narrowed for much of its outer end "to carry a pin -I4I likewise received in theforked end I42 of a piston rod I43 extending from .the expansible chamber mechanism 6|. The piston rod is guided by blocks I44 and I46 mounted on the pin and slidably disposed in channels I4'I-and I48 spanning the housing 9 in a straight path. The channels I41 and I48 are spaced apart so that the slide bar 43 can project betweenthem to engage the pin I4I. i

In this version of the device, when the expansible chamber BI is actuated, the pin I4I""is guided in a straight path. This path is not con centric with the axis of rotation of the cone valve but rather is eccentric thereto so that the slide bar 43 is moved first inwardly and then outwardly of the valve hub as the pin I4I pro ceeds from one side of the housing 9 to the other side thereof. Whereas in the previous instances the motion of the connecting pin I 27 and the connecting pin 0| is an arc eccentrioor convex to the axis of rotation of the valve, in the present instance, the motion is in a straight line spaced from or eccentric to the axis of the valve'. all instances, although the degree of motion-is difierent, the same kind of relative motion. is imposed upon the slide bar 43 Just as the bar. 43 and the intermediate lever I22 'form a subs. stantial toggle and just as the slidetloarifii'and the link "form an approximate toggle,":itican also be considered that theslidecbatriflhiid the tionof the expansible chamber structure.

blocks. I44 and I46 constitute a toggle since the blocks :in effect are a lever of infinite radius.

In Figures 7 and 8 a further modification is illustrated. Here also the housing is connected chamber mechanism. The Scotch yoke is therefore movable in a rectilinear path with the opera- A tall rod ifxiiis received in a socket 167 during the final travel .of the expansible chamber mechanism to resist side forces.

Also mounted on the pin I6! is an upper block 168 turned diagonally with respect to the lower block I52 and adapted in general to engage a block guide I639 forming part of the housing 9 and having a rectilinear central portion H3 and bevelled or inclined end portions I'll and H2.

When the expansible chamber mechanism is actuated to project the piston rod I64, the Scotch yoke mechanism I63 travels in a straight path and advances the lower block I82. This motion causes the upper block I58 to cam against the inclined surface ill and to shift laterally, simul taneously shifting the slide bar 33 radially in- Ward without any rotation about the axis of the valve. cone and simultaneously shifting the block Hi2 transversely. This motion continues until the corner of the upper block [58 has just cleared the inclined surface IH. At that time, however, one side of the lower block 162 has already been laterally displaced sufficiently and advanced enough so that it is in sliding abutment with a lower guide I'M approximately parallel to the portion I70. For the balance of the motion in the intermediate zone of travel, the upper block I68 retains a diagonal position with one corner riding near the straight surface llfl of the upper guide I89 while the lower block I62 along one side rides in sliding engagement with the lower guide I14. The Sotch yoke I83 continues in a straight path and the slide bar 43 is moved in a path which is eccentric with regard to the axis of rotation of the valve cone. Thus, further inward motion followed by outward motion is produced as the bar d3 is also rotated during the intermediate part of the Scotch yoke travel.

Toward the far extremity of its movement, the piston rod advances the upper block H38 so that a leading diagonal face comes into abutment with an end guide l8l similar to a guide I32 at the opposite side of the housing 9. When that abutment occurs, the side face of the lower block IE2 has just cleared the end of the lower guide l'id. The final movement of the Scotch yoke E83 therefore causes the upper block N38 to move radially outward or away from the rotational axis of the valve cone without producing any further rotation of the slide bar 43. This final radial motion of the slide bar, without rotation, continues until the Scotch yoke has seated against the stop I61. Precisely the reverse motion occurs during the retraction of the piston rod I65 into the expansible chamber mechanism, the end block I82 serving at that end of the stroke to move the slide bar radially outward without rotation thereof.

In this form of the mechanism, while the slide bar outer. end is always moved in a path that is eccentric relative to the valve cone axis, the initial and final motions of the slide bar are truly radial without any rotational component whatsoever. The intermediate portion of the slide bar motion is a radially inward and outward motion combined with a rotational movement. While this form of actuating device produces a somewhat similar motion to that of those previously described, it is distinct in that at the two extremes radial movement only without rotation is imparted to the slide bar. That radial movement is effective to provide a lifting action or a lowering action of the valve cone without any rotation of the cone.

What is claimed is:

l. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move axially comprising a housing surrounding said stem, a support frame rotatably mounted on said housing approximately coaxially with said stem, a forked lever journaled in said sup port frame for motion about a transverse axis, pins projecting from said forked lever along an axis parallel to said lever axis, a yoke fast on said stem and receiving said pins, said yoke having a passage therethrough, a slide bar in said passage, mechanism for moving one end of said slide bar in a path eccentric of said stem, and a cam at the other end of said slide bar engaging said forked lever.

2. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move axially comprising a housing surrounding said stem, a support frame rotatably and slideably mounted on said housing, a forked lever journaled in said support frame for motion about a transverse axis, pins engaging said forked lever on an axis parallel to said transverse axis, a yoke fast on said stem and engaging said pins, a slide bar constrained to slide on said yoke, mechanism for moving said slide bar in a path eccentric of said stem, and mechanism for transmitting motion between'said slide bar and said forked lever.

3. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move axially comprising a housing surrounding said stem, a support frame movably mounted on said housing and in abutment therewith to transmit compressive loads thereto, a lever journaled in said support frame for motion about a transverse axis, mechanism on said stem and engaging said lever, a slide bar slideably mounted with respect to said mechanism, mechanism for moving one end of said slide bar in a path eccentric of said stem, and 'a lostmotion connection between said bar and said lever.

4. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move along its axis comprising a housing surrounding said stem and having a surface normal to said axis, a support frame abutting said surface and constrained against axial movement with respect thereto, a lever pivotally connected to said support frame and to said stem, a bar mounted-to slide and to rotate with respect to said housing, mechanism for moving said lever in response to the sliding movement of said bar, and mechanism for rotating said stem in response to the rotation ofsaid bar.

5. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move along its axis comprising a housing, a support frame surrounding said stem and slideably and rotatably mounted on said housing, a lever pivotedbetween its ends on said support frame,

a pivotal connection between one end of said lever and said stem, a radial bar slideably mounted on said stem, and an interengagement between said bar and the other end of said lever for moving said lever in response to sliding movement of said bar.

6. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move along its axis comprising a housing, a lever in said housing, a pivot connection between one end of said lever and said stem, a support for said lever on said housing, a bar for rotating said sem and said lever and said support, an interconnection between said bar and the other end of said lever, and mechanism for moving said bar to pivot said lever.

7. A cone valve operator for use with a cone valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move along its axis comprising a housing, a bar constrained to rotation and endwise sliding movement in said housing, mechanism for moving one end portion of said bar in a non-circular path about said axis, mechanism for connecting said stem and the other end portion of said bar for rotation in unison, and mechanism for translating said endwise sliding movement of said bar into movement of said stem along its axis.

8. A cone valve operator for use with a cone 10 valve having a stem adapted to rotate and to move along its axis comprising a housing, a yoke rotatably mounted in said housing and constrained against axial movement therein, a bar mounted to slide radially in said yoke, an inclined surface on said bar, mechanism for simultaneously rotating said bar about said axis and sliding said bar in said yoke, mechanism for constraining said yoke and said bar to rotate together and for constraining said yoke and said stem to rotate together, and mechanism engaging said inclined surface and said yoke and said stem for constraining said stem to move along its axis in response to radial sliding of said bar in said yoke.

IRA MORGA'N WHITE. RAY BACCHI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,144,305 Brisbane Jan. 17. 1939 2,153,875 Goldberg Apr. 11, 1939 2,214,324 Goldberg Sept. 10, 1940 

